JIC RELEASE NO. 905 - Governor Leon Guerrero Signs Executive Order No. 2021-32; COVID-19 Test Results: 30 New Cases; 6 Hospitalized; UOG COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Operations Extended; Quarantine and Isolation Policy Under Review

Governor Leon Guerrero Signs Executive Order No. 2021-32
Today, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero signed Executive Order No. 2021-32, relative to extending the public health emergency. Effective December 31, 2021, the public health emergency declaration is now scheduled to expire on January 30, 2022.

Six Hospitalized for COVID-19

SPECIAL NOTE: Based on today's data, if we were to compare two (2) hypothetical populations of 100,000 people each, vaccinated versus unvaccinated, there would be 3 vaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to 16 unvaccinated people hospitalized for COVID-19. The risk of being hospitalized for COVID-19 is about 5 times higher for the unvaccinated as compared to the vaccinated. *Estimated population is based on DPHSS Immunization Program analysis of 2020 Census data. Updates are expected pending further Census 2020 data breakdown.

COVID-19 Test Results: 30 New Cases of COVID-19
Today, the Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) reported thirty (30) new cases of COVID-19 from 804 specimens analyzed on December 28. Seven (7) cases were identified through contact tracing. To date, there have been a total of 19,531 officially reported cases, 270 deaths, 302 cases in active isolation, and 18,959 not in active isolation. The CAR Score is 2.3.

UOG COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Operations Extended
Increased demand for COVID-19 booster shots and pediatric vaccinations have resulted in the extension of COVID-19 clinic operations at the University of Guam (UOG) Field House. Clinic operations will continue through the new year from January 3 to January 15, 2022. While walk-ins are accepted, appointments will be expedited. Make an appointment at tinyurl.com/vaxguam. 

Quarantine and Isolation Policy Under Review
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) yesterday shortened the recommended time for isolation for individuals who test positive for COVID-19 if asymptomatic from 10 days down to 5 days. The CDC also shortened the recommended quarantine period for those exposed to COVID-19 for unvaccinated individuals from 10 days down to 5 days. 

While DPHSS reviews these recommendations from the CDC, the current quarantine and isolation policy measures remain unchanged at this time. 

If you test positive for COVID-19:

1. Isolate at home or a government isolation facility.

2. If you live with others, stay in a separate room from other household members. Use a separate bathroom, if possible. Avoid sharing personal items. Clean and disinfect all surfaces and frequently touched items. Wash your hands often and wear a mask. 

3. If you are symptomatic, isolation may be discontinued after:

   1. At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared;

   2. At least 24 hours with no fever without using fever-reducing medication; and

   3. Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving.

4. If you are asymptomatic, isolation may be discontinued after:

1. 10 days have passed since the day of the positive specimen collection.

2. If symptoms develop, refer to number 3.  

If you are identified as a close contact to someone who tested positive for COVID-19:

1. You must quarantine for a 10 days after your last date of exposure 

2. Stay home and monitor your health, watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.

3. If possible, stay away from others, especially people at higher risk of getting COVID-19.

4. Schedule to get tested for COVID-19 3-5 days after your last date of exposure. If negative, quarantine may be discontinued after day 7. 

5. People who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and do not have any symptoms do not need to quarantine but should still get tested. 

Please refer to DPHSS Guidance Memorandum 2021-16 for further guidance. 

Guam COVID-19 Vaccination Update 
As of December 28, a total of 129,278 of Guam’s eligible population (residents 5 years and older) is fully vaccinated. This total includes 12,538 residents 12 – 17 years old. 4,702 residents 5 – 11 years old received their first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech two dose series. 2,683 residents 5 – 11 years old have completed their two-dose series. An additional 385 residents received their booster shots and a total of 38,849 booster shots have been administered to eligible residents since September 29, 2021.

COVID-19 Booster Shot Eligibility 
Adolescents 16 and 17 years of age who received a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine (first two doses) are eligible for a single booster shot at least 6 months or more after their initial series. At this time, only the Pfizer-BioNTech booster vaccine is authorized and recommended for adolescents aged 16 and 17.

Requirements for Minors to Receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine:

• Parent/legal guardian must provide minor’s birth certificate 

• Parent/legal guardian must have a government-issued photo identification (ID)

• Minor must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian

• Guardians must present legal guardianship or power-of-attorney documents

Fill out a COVID-19 Testing Patient Assessment Form ahead of time, available at dphss.guam.gov/covid-19-testing. Individuals waiting for COVID-19 test results must quarantine at home until cleared by DPHSS. Test results are available via email by sending a request to [email protected].

Click here to view 21.1229 SSD to SPEAKER TERLAJE re Executive Order No. 2021-32 - Relative to Extending the Public Health Emergency